MLS Table Talk (Week 14) - Break It Up!

Last week I used the pelaton metaphor to describe the shape that the MLS table was beginning to take. This week, the pack is slowly breaking up. In the points standings and in the points-per-game standings, the two Texas sides, Dallas and Houston, have started to pull away from the pack.

The top three in the East are clustered just behind them in the points-per-game table, with KC, the Crew, and Chivas forming a similar trio to round out the playoff sides. On the overall points table, only three points separate New York in 3rd from Chivas in the 8th and final playoff spot. At the bottom, Colorado and Chicago have officially slipped into the land of the "also-rans" with TFC and LA, while RSL are struggling mightily, their 0.64 points per game making them the only MLS side to average under a point per game.

KC and New England continue to lead the way in goal scoring, while the futility continues for RSL, the Fire, and the Rapids, all of whom are averaging under a goal per game. Defensively, the Dynamo are easily the class of the league, with their 0.63 goals allowed per game representing the only club that is allowing under a goal per game.

With just one week to go before the All Star Break (short as it may be), the East, as predicted, is looking dominant, holding five of the eight playoff spots, with TFC creeping to within striking distance of that last position. Can you imagine a scenario where six teams from the East make the playoffs versus just two from the West? It's hard to see it happening considering the number of in-conference games that have yet to be played, but it's definitely looking somewhat plausible.